We need our public lands

September 22 marks both the first day of fall and  National Public Lands Day , a day to recognize the importance and value of our vast web of open public lands from coast to coast, set aside for conservation and recreation.  In an effort to encourage people to get outside and explore these great places of natural and h…

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How to brew a pot of pine needle tea

It's easy to brew a pot of Nature's purest calcium right in your mug. For a few years I've taught groups of middle school and high school kids at various outdoor education jobs I've had at YMCAs in Wisconsin and Colorado this little back country treat. "Are you serious?!" Is the laughing reac…

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Meal prepping, a life update, and this special place called Rock Island

Greetings and raise a glass of your best Oktoberfest beer to the (almost) start of fall! The trees here in Wisconsin are slowly starting to transform into glowing art pieces of copper, crimson, red, orange and sulfur as the temperatures also begin to plunge ever so slightly. I just returned from a trip out west to Ba…

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